November 2011
The Heart of the Cooperative Difference
by Keven J. Groenewold
Keven J. Groenewold
By reading this column, you're participating in the Fifth Cooperative Principle—"Education, Training, and Information—one of seven basic principles that govern cooperative operations. This principle is meant to keep members, directors, managers, and employees current on issues so they can effectively govern the co-op. Communication, particularly with young members and opinion leaders, helps generate necessary public support for cooperatives.
In fact, right now you're enjoying one of your co-op's primary means of education and information, enchantment Magazine. Through these pages we communicate directly with you, our consumer-members, on important co-op issues like proposed laws and regulations. We share energy-saving tips to save you money and practical information that can make your life easier. But we don't stop there. We sponsor programs to educate youth in our service areas. We also support student education through scholarship programs.
More recently, New Mexico co-ops have embarked on a new grassroots educational effort. The theme is "Keep Electricity Affordable." Every facet of our lives depends on electricity. Electricity doesn't just power homes, schools and businesses here in New Mexico—it energizes entire communities and drives the economy. People who understand how electricity powers our lives and the economy are working together to ensure that additional regulations, laws and policies do not negatively impact affordable electricity.
As concerned citizens who depend on electricity, we are asking lawmakers and regulatory bodies to base their decisions and actions on balanced, sound science, giving utility providers the ability to invest in new energy technology and innovation in a responsible way. And when we believe unreasonable regulations hurt electric consumers, we stand together with one voice to ensure clean, affordable power today and for generations to come.
To further this effort, the co-ops recently set-up a booth at a series of state fairs (Albuquerque, Las Cruces and Roswell) to engage fairgoers in a discussion on this topic. The response we received was overwhelmingly positive.
Through this process we engaged 16,000 people in a discussion of the importance of affordable electricity in our everyday lives. Over 12,500 people supported our efforts to oppose unnecessary regulations that add unreasonable costs to electricity prices. Almost 8,000 fairgoers gave us their e-mail addresses so we may inform them on the efforts to keep electricity affordable.
To say we found folks, in general, to be supportive would be an understatement. These folks came from all walks of life—urban, rural, old, young, middle class—you name it. Eighty percent said they agreed with us and 50 percent gave us an e-mail address to keep them informed. We were encouraged to keep on fighting for the Average Joe. In this day and age nobody seems to be looking out for the little guy.
However, not all comments were positive. Some people are always suspicious of electric power providers. But as we explained the cooperative difference, even they became a little more at ease.
So, we will endeavor to keep you informed—so you can ask the right questions, learn to manage your energy usage, or understand how decisions of your elected officials will affect your pocketbook. And if you agree or disagree, please let us know. That's the cooperative difference. Co-ops help drive the local economy, fund scholarships, support local charities, and work to make life better in the areas they serve—the heart of the cooperative difference.
